Borussia Dortmund needed a brilliant performance from their goalkeeper and a lot of efficiency against a snappy Hannover 96 in the second round of the DFB Cup.
BVB won 2-0 (1-0) at the second division on Wednesday evening (October 19th, 2022). An own goal by Bright Arrey-Mbi gave Dortmund the lead (11th minute), Jude Bellingham increased the penalty in the second half (70th). Karim Adeyemi also saw the red card shortly before the end after an emergency brake (85th).
“Our goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was world class”, said BVB professional Emre Can on Sky. “It wasn’t a good game from us, but that’s the trophy. You have to move on there, so it’s okay. We’re still working on the beautiful game.”
An own goal brings Dortmund into play
Edin Terzic had made three changes to his starting XI compared to the weekend’s disappointing defeat by Union Berlin: Mats Hummels, Bellingham and Adeyemi moved to the bench, while Thorgan Hazard, Julian Brandt and Donyell Malen started.
Only five minutes had been played when it became difficult for BVB for the first time. After a corner kick from the left, Havard Nielsen volleyed the ball far too freely from close range and forced keeper Gregor Kobel to do a strong reflex – it should have been 1-0. The goal came a few minutes later on the other side: Youssoufa Moukoko was close to the baseline on the right in the penalty area and passed the ball in the direction of the goal, where Arrey-Mbi’s game device was deflected in such a way that it went past goalkeeper Leo Weinkauf in the short Eck tumbled.
Kobel several times in the center
The goal gave BVB a little more confidence after a mixed first few minutes. The Terzic team initially took control of the game, but then suddenly gave it back after half an hour.
Nielsen appeared free in front of Kobel and he again had to use all his skills to prevent a goal from being conceded (31′). Two minutes later, the goalkeeper was back in the middle of the action against Maximilian Beier. On the other hand, Malen failed from a promising position at the fingertips of Weinkauf (36th) – more than one goal on the scoreboard would have been possible at the break. In any case, the Dortmund leadership was rather happy.
Hanover has chance after chance – but Bellingham scores
The game had hardly started again when the 96ers had the next good opportunity: Emre Can dangerously deflected a cross for his own goal, but was lucky that the ball rolled just wide of the goal. Hannover also had the next big chance, but Hendrik Weydandt didn’t hit the ball cleanly in front of goal (52′).
In the 70th minute, the usurer of chances in Hanover took revenge. Substitute Bellingham ran into the hosts’ penalty area during a counterattack and Phil Neumann came too late with his tackle in dire need – a clear penalty. Bellingham uncompromisingly converted the penalty due to a flattering 0:2. His team-mate Adeyemi was sent off after an emergency brake five minutes before the end of regular time, but pulled it just centimeters from the penalty area – there was only a free kick. Hannover tried everything again, but there was simply no getting past Kobel on this Wednesday evening.
Dortmund now against VfB, Hannover at the “Club”
Dortmund plays in the Bundesliga next Saturday (October 22, 2022, 3:30 p.m.) against VfB Stuttgart, Hannover 96 plays in league two at the “Club” in Nuremberg (October 22, 2022, 1:00 p.m.).